New Beginnings (Forever and Always #15) Read online

  I came to the bed then got under the covers beside her. Her legs automatically hooked around mine. Her legs were smooth and soft, not a single hair apparent. I never liked sleeping with people because I hated sharing the room, even though I had a California king bed. But with Cassandra, there was too much room left over. I could hold her in my arms all night and get better sleep for it. My hand moved around her waist, filling the skin of her hips underneath her shirt.

  Then I thought about what my brother said. What if someone else had felt this same hip, had noticed all the details I adored about her? What if someone felt the warm lips that belonged to me? What if she lied?

  But she wouldn’t. She wouldn’t.

  My brother didn’t lied. He wouldn’t do it to save his own ass. So, I felt torn.

  Cassandra ran her hand down my chest then to my stomach. She felt the hard grooves underneath. Then her fingers played with the top of my boxers, wanting to pull them off. She was more obsessed with sex than I was. She looked at me, her eyes shining with arousal.

  But I couldn’t make a move. A part of me was paranoid.

  “Mike, what is it?” she whispered.

  I refused to lie to my partner—now or ever. We were going to raise a kid together, and I had to be a role model by example. Lying was wrong. “Sean said something to me before we left the house…”

  “And what did he say?” She kept fingering my boxers.

  “He said he came to your apartment and saw a wallet, shoes, and a jacket that clearly belonged to a man. And you wouldn’t let Sean into the apartment.” I looked into her eyes, studying her reaction.

  She didn’t react in any noticeable way. Her hand was glued to my hip. “What’s your point?”

  “He thinks you slept with someone.”

  There was still no reaction. She didn’t seem affected by those words. I waited for her to deny the claim or confirm it. She did neither.

  I waited. I didn’t want to directly ask her because that would indicate I didn’t trust her. “He wants me to get a paternity test to make sure it’s mine.”

  “Do you want to?” she asked.

  I just wanted her to tell me she didn’t sleep with the guy, but I didn’t want to ask. I kept my mouth shut.

  She eyed me. “Mike, I already told you I didn’t sleep with anyone.”

  “I know, but—”

  “Fine. Then ask me.” Her hand left my boxers. She looked me in the eye, the anger brewing. “Ask me since you don’t believe me.”

  “I do believe you.”

  “If you did, we wouldn’t be having this conversation.”

  She got me there.

  “So? Are you going to ask?” She was testing me.

  “Then who was the man?”

  “I don’t see why that’s any of your business.”

  I raised an eyebrow. “Why won’t you just tell me? Why is it a big deal?”

  “I’m hurt that I’m being questioned like I did something wrong.”

  “I’m not questioning you. I just want to have an explanation for your behavior.”

  “This is our relationship, Mike. You don’t owe him anything.”

  This was going nowhere. “Cassandra, if you said you weren’t with anyone, I believe you. To prove that, I won’t ask for a paternity test.”

  “I don’t mind taking it if it clears your doubt.”

  “No,” I said firmly. “It’s fine. But I’d like to know who the guy was.”

  She eyed me for a moment then looked away. “Joey.”

  Was that name supposed to mean something to me? “Who?”

  “He’s my brother.”

  “Oh.” I knew she had a brother but I’ve never met him.

  “We went to dinner then watched a movie at my apartment. That was all.”

  “Why didn’t you let Sean into the apartment?” I asked.

  “Joey is protective of me. He would have gotten involved. It was easier just to hide Sean and Joey from each other. And judging your brother’s reaction, he would have said something I’d be forced to explain to Joey later.”

  Now I felt stupid for ever worrying about it.

  “I really don’t want your family doubting me or this baby’s relationship to you,” Cassandra said. “I think it will save us both headaches if I just do the test. Everyone will know the truth and everyone will be happy.”

  “I don’t care what they think, Cassandra.”

  “I do,” she said simply. “We’ll do it this week. Plus, it’ll make Sean feel like an ass.” She gave me a playful look.

  “I like making my brother feel like shit.”

  Cassandra pulled off her shirt then turned on her stomach. When I saw the deep curve of her back, I immediately sprung to life. Her ass was hard with muscle and round and firm. I wanted to bite it as soon as I saw it.

  “You owe me good sex since you doubted me.” She rose on all fours and gave me an expectant look.

  I swallowed the lump in my throat before I sat up then came behind her. I loved everything about her body, but her ass was truly exceptional. Just looking at it made me want to come. She was as kinky as I was, so our bedroom escapades were never boring. I slipped inside, feeling how wet she was as soon as we began.

  I’d been with a lot of women, and not all of them could take my full length. I could only insert three quarters so I wouldn’t hurt them or make them uncomfortable. But Cassandra took all of me like a pro. She rocked her hips and bounced her ass against me, wanting it harder and faster. Sometimes she was too much for me, making me spiral out of control against my will.

  I leaned over her and pressed my chest against her back, feeling the warm skin. I pressed my mouth to her ear and breathed loudly while I moved inside her over and over. She moaned for me like she never wanted me to stop. I had to stop a few times because I was going to come too soon.

  “Mike…fuck me.”

  “Shit, Cassandra.” I had to stop again so I wouldn’t come. “You’re even more horny than you used to be.”

  “Because I spent three months touching myself while thinking of you. I miss the real thing.” She rocked back into me, pushing me into her.

  “Damn it.” I took another deep breath, trying to forget the words she said. That was the hottest thing she ever said. I pressed my fingers to her clitoris and rubbed it in a circular motion, trying to get her to come. I moved into her at the same time, and instantly, she was writhing for me, arching her back and saying my name over and over. I came inside her at the same time, feeling the wonderful heat in my groin.

  “Hmm…that felt good.” She lay down, sighing happily.

  I lay beside her and looked at her. “Those hormones are really getting to you.”

  Her hand rested on my chest. “No. I’m just hot for you.” She closed her eyes and fell asleep.

  After that round of hot sex, I wasn’t tired. All I wanted to do was stare at my muse, the greatest thing that ever happened to me. Her face was more interesting than any dream I could experience. I stared at her for an hour before I finally went to bed.

  I went to my mom’s house after work, needing to see her after what Sean told me. She was sick and I didn’t even know. As selfish as it sounded, I was hurt she told Sean and not me. I always felt like he was the favorite and I was a lost cause. I understood why she didn’t tell my dad, but why not me?

  I rang the doorbell and waited. Minutes passed and nothing happened. I rang the doorbell again.

  “Coming!” I heard my father yell.

  He opened the door, wearing a shirt that looked worn out and old, and his hair was in disarray. One look told me exactly what he was just doing. “Hey,” he said, still out of breath. “What are you doing here?”

  I cringed. “Gross…”

  He smirked. “You didn’t catch me at the best time.”

  “So, you’re really getting back together?”

  “Yep. We’re going to have a small ceremony in a few days after we…talk it out.”

  “Eww,” I s
aid with another cringe.

  “Andrew, bring a spatula!” she yelled from upstairs.

  “Okay, I’m officially grossed out.” I stepped away. “I’m leaving.”

  “I’ll call you when we’re…settled.”

  “Yeah, whatever.”

  “And Athena said you still have the house.”

  “She did?” I asked happily.

  “Yep.”

  “Andrew, hurry!”

  He looked over his shoulder then back at me. “I gotta go.” He shut the door in my face.

  I was grossed out for several minutes afterwards, thinking about my parents having sex. Disgusting. Old people still did that shit? I drove to Athena’s next so I could get the paperwork started.

  When I arrived at the house, she gave me a weak smile. “Here to claim your prize?”

  “Yep.”

  She gave me the paperwork in an orange folder along with the keys.

  “Thanks.” I checked everything to make sure it was right.

  She held out her hand. “And the money?”

  I pulled a check out of my wallet and handed it over. “You have all my information if the check bounces.”

  “It better not.”

  “Don’t worry. Preston money is good money.” I headed out the door, feeling proud that I got my girl the house she wanted. I worked my ass off to get it and even had to pimp out my dad like a whore.

  I drove to the house and inspected it. I had a few weeks to report any damages or unclaimed problems. Everything seemed to be intact. All the appliances worked and the house was spotless. I wanted to tell Cassandra so we could move in right away, but I had a better idea.

  I changed into three different suits because I didn’t know what to wear. “What do you think of this one?” I asked as I looked at myself in the mirror.

  “Isn’t that the same one you were just wearing?”

  “No. This one is gray.”

  “And what was the other one…?”

  “Black,” I said impatiently.

  She grabbed my ass. “You look hot in all of them.” She patted it then walked to her jewelry box, putting on a golden necklace.

  I grabbed a blue tie and put it on. “I want to look nice. This is important.”

  “You can wear jeans and that would be acceptable.”

  “Nope.”

  She rolled her eyes. “And remember, I don’t want them to know you have money.”

  “What? Why not?”

  “I just don’t,” she said. “My parents never had money and I don’t want them to think they can get it from you.”

  “But being rich is all I have. I’m not funny, charismatic, or nice. They aren’t going to like me. But if I have money, they’ll accept me at least.”

  She gave me an incredulous look. “Mike, you’re all of those things and much more.”

  I rolled my eyes. “Whatever. You’re just saying that because I give you good sex.”

  “No,” she said firmly. “You’re such a wonderful person. My parents are going to love you for you.”

  “I can’t take a chance, Cassandra. I already knocked you up. They’re already going to dislike me for that.”

  “Mike, I don’t care what they think. Just be yourself.”

  “If I was myself, they’d throw me out of the place.”

  “You’re yourself around your family and they seem to love you.”

  “Because they have to,” I snapped.

  “No.” She gave me a firm look. “Not at all. I fell in love with you for you. You had me on our first date.”

  “Because I’m hot,” I said with a smirk.

  She wrapped her arms around my neck and gave me a firm look. “No matter what happens tonight, I love you. Nothing will change that. So, please, be yourself and calm down.”

  “I really want them to like me. I’ve never met a girl’s parents before.”

  “They are humans just like everyone else,” she said with a laugh.

  “You know what I mean.”

  “It’ll be fine.”

  “What am I supposed to say I do for a living?” I asked. “Make something up?”

  “Say you work for the company, but don’t tell them you own it.”

  I growled. “I really hate lying. They might recognize my last name, and being caught in a lie by my future in-laws would be horrific.”

  “They would understand your desire for privacy.”

  “Just let me tell them,” I said. “I want them to know I’m going to take care of you.”

  Cassandra sighed then gave me a hard look. “Do you really want them to like you because you’re rich? Do you really want to be accepted because of that? Or would you like to be liked because of you?”

  She had a point. I looked down and thought quietly.

  “So don’t tell them, but don’t lie either.”

  “That sounds complicated.”

  “Tell them what you do at work but drop the CEO part.”

  I sighed. “Fine.”

  “Thank you.” She gave me a hot kiss then pulled away. She wore a black dress that showed her baby bump. She didn’t even try to hide it.

  “Maybe you should cover it up so you don’t give your dad a heart attack as soon as you walk in the restaurant.”

  “No. I’m not hiding it from anyone. They can deal with it.”

  My baby could be such a hard-ass sometimes. “Alright. Let’s get this shit over with.”

  “I’ll give you the best sex of your life when we get home.”

  That caught my attention. “What for? Just for meeting your parents?”

  “No. For making them fall in love with you.”

  I drove to the restaurant then found a parking spot a block away.

  “How did that bid go for the house?” she asked. “Have you heard anything?”

  This was the one time I was going to lie. And I had a damn good reason to. “Baby, we didn’t get it. I’m sorry.” I held her hand and rubbed the top of her knuckles.

  “Oh.” She tried to hide her disappointment by looking out the window. “Well, I’m sure we’ll find another one.”

  “We will,” I said. “A better one.”

  She still seemed sad and I hated the look. “Don’t worry, okay? We’ll find the perfect house.”

  She smiled slightly. “I know it’s stupid, but I fell in love with that house. But it’s just a house. It really doesn’t matter. We’ll make a beautiful life together no matter where we live, even if it’s in a shack on an island.”

  “I wouldn’t mind that, actually.” I leaned over and gave her a gentle kiss. “We could make love all day, and all the kids would work in the garden and hunt.”

  “How big is this island?” she asked with a laugh.

  “A big ass island.”

  “Apparently.”

  I was glad I cheered her up. “Now let’s eat. I’m starving.”

  We left the car and entered the restaurant.

  “They are sitting by the window,” she said.

  I took her hand then took a deep breath. “Alright.”

  “You’ll be fine.” She gave me a gentle squeeze.

  “Okay.”

  We approached the table and her parents stood up. Her mom greeted her first and gave her a hug. She had golden hair just like Cassandra. Now I understood where she got it from. Both of her parents were lean and limber. I could see where she got her natural fitness from.

  “You look beautiful, honey,” her mother said while she cupped her cheeks.

  ‘Thanks, Mama. I know it’s been a while.”

  Her father kissed her cheek. “Hey, honey.”

  “Hi, Dad.”

  Neither one noticed her distended belly.

  Her dad looked me up and down. “This is the boyfriend you told us about?”

  She linked her arm through mine. “Yes.”

  He smiled. “Going on a job interview?” he teased.

  I played along. “Just trying to make a good impression.”

/>   “You look sharp.” He extended his hand and shook mine. “I’m Mr. Riley, but call me Dean.”

  “I’m Mr. Preston, but call me Mike.”

  He chuckled. “I like your wit.”

  His wife extended her hand. “I’m Jenny. It’s nice to meet you.”

  “You too,” I said politely. “Now I know where Cassandra gets her beautiful hair from.”

  She blushed. “Thank you. It’s one of the things I’m a bit vain about.”

  “As you should be.”

  Another man emerged from behind them with dirty blonde hair and green eyes. “I’m Joey. Nice to meet you.”

  Her brother. “The pleasure is mine.” I shook his hand. He was the same height as me, towering over his dad. I’m not sure how that happened.

  “Let’s sit down,” Dean said.

  I waited for Cassandra sit in the booth first before I sat beside her. I didn’t touch her because I didn’t think it was appropriate, but Cassandra rested her hand on my thigh, dangerously close to my crotch.

  “Now for the interview,” Dean said. “Tell me about yourself.”

  “I’m in love with your daughter. That’s all you need to know,” I said.

  “Awe,” Jenny said. “How cute.”

  “Good to know,” Dean said. “But what else?”

  “I like golfing with my dad, spending time with my family, hitting the gym with Cassandra, watching television with her, and various other things.”

  “Did you go to college?”

  Cassandra didn’t say I had to hide that fact. “Yes. I got my degree in business finance and a masters in economics.”

  “My man is smart.” Cassandra was affectionate with me like her parents weren’t across from us. I think she was trying to calm me down. But it wasn’t working. It was just distracting. I wanted to have a hot make out session with her.

  “Impressive,” he said. “Where did you go to school?”

  I knew I’d earn points with this. “Yale.”

  Jenny’s eyes widened. “Wow. That is impressive.”

  Her brother stared at me but didn’t say anything.

  “I’m glad you found a college boy,” Dean said.